Brandon Derfler studied music theory at the University of Washington, where he received a Ph.D in 2007. In addition to teaching at the University of Washington, he has also taught at the Academy of Music Northwest in Seattle and at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he received an M.A. in musicology. Dr. Derfler also holds a B.A. in music (magna cum laude) from the University of Utah, where he was the recipient of the Jacob A Kahn scholarship for piano performance. He served as Assistant Editor of the academic journal Perspectives of New Music from 2001 to 2007. His work has been published in GAMUT Journal, Indiana Theory Review, and Perspectives of New Music. His book Single-Voice Transformations: A Model for Parsimonious Voice Leading was published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing in 2010. He is conductor of the Westminster Chamber Orchestra. Outside of academia, Dr. Derfler enjoys composing music, hiking and backpacking in the canyon country of southern Utah, and dissecting the minutiae of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-Earth.

 

Professor Derfler is currently Chair of the Department of Music at Westminster College in Salt Lake City. He has been a performing pianist since the age of 8. As a pianist, his repertoire ranges from Renaissance keyboard music to contemporary masterpieces by composers such as John Corigliano, John Adams, and Arvo Pärt. He is also the current conductor of the Westminster Chamber Orchestra.

 

Thank you for visiting my web page!  In way of introduction, I play exclusively classical repertoire at events. I've found that with over 1000 years' worth of art music there is always more than enough striking, memorable, and emotionally compelling music at one's disposal appropriate to any special occasion. If you are looking to create a classy, elegant, and sophisticated atmosphere before, during, or after your ceremony, I'm the musician for you.



Let's be honest, there are many pianists in Northern Utah. The predominant culture makes it a special point to inculcate talent, and particularly musical talent. You probably know a half dozen pianists personally and have thought about asking one of them to perform on your special day. Please remember that you want your wedding day to play out as close to perfectly as possible. Don't risk ruining your occasion by hiring an underqualified or incompetent pianist. As an example of how crucial music is to a wedding, check this video out. Don't let this be you! A quality pianist is worth every cent he is paid (and you'll find my rates are very reasonable especially when considering my background and accomplishments).